Archive for December 2017
BLET Action Alert: Republican tax bill on track to put Railroad Retirement Unemployment & Sickness benefits in the siding
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, December 15 — The Republican tax bill currently working its way through the House and the Senate could have a devastating impact on Railroad Retirement Unemployment and Sickness Benefits, according to analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the General Counsel of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). All active and retired BLET…
Read More“Be Strong:” International rail organizations extend solidarity, condolences following Amtrak crash in Washington State
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, December 21 — Three international rail worker Organizations have sent letters of solidarity, support and sympathy to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National Division, its members and the victims of the fatal December 18 Amtrak derailment near Tacoma, Wash. The 4,600 members of New Zealand’s Rail & Maritime Transport Union…
Read MoreAAR: November 2017 rail traffic up 2.9 percent over November 2016
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, December 6, 2017) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending December 2, 2017, as well as volumes for November 2017. Intermodal rail traffic remains on pace to set a new annual record in 2017 with strong gains in…
Read MoreUnion Pacific showcases drone program, plans
(Source: Occupational Health & Safety, December 8, 2017) WASHINGTON, D.C. — An online article about Union Pacific’s use of drones this week says the railroad currently has 80 employees certified to fly drones and hopes to have nearly 250 throughout its 32,100-mile network by December 2018. Full story: www.ohsonline.com Friday, December 08, 2017
Read MoreUSDOT opts to repeal ECP brake rulemaking
Source: Progressive Railroading 12/05/2017 Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) repealed a May 2015 rulemaking that would have required the installation of electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes on certain tank cars, according to U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.). The USDOT had until Dec. 4 to publish a determination that the ECP rule either was justified or…
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